Give an Ovation: The Restaurant Guest Experience Podcast with Zack Oates
An ad free resource for restaurateurs! Over 100 episodes and a new episode every Monday. Listen in to learn from industry leaders how to grow your restaurant, improve your guest experience, turn your customers from strangers to friends, and to leverage data and marketing tools to increase your revenue.
Episodes
361 episodes
Operational Clarity Wins with Sebastian Stahl
Sebastian Stahl, former hospitality operator and now founder of Breadth, joins the show to talk about how restaurants can build marketing systems that actually work. As the host of Restaurant Leaders Unplugged, Sebastian shares how gue...
•
15:48
What Truly Creates Restaurant Magic with Troy Guard
Chef Troy Guard, founder of TAG Restaurant Group, joins the show to share how creating a vibe, embracing the unexpected, and mentoring talent have helped him grow multiple restaurant concepts across states. From dishwasher to executive chef, Tr...
•
18:37
Rewiring Customer Perception with Melissa Hughes
Dr. Melissa Hughes joins Zack to explore the neuroscience behind the guest experience. As a keynote speaker and author, Melissa breaks down why small missteps in a restaurant can have an outsized impact, and how operators can respond to reviews...
•
19:32
Culture That Connects with Chris Schultz
Chris Schultz, CEO of Voodoo Doughnut, joins Zack to share how the brand’s rebellious spirit and cult following stem from bold choices and intentional culture. With decades of experience in hospitality, Chris explores how staying weird can stil...
•
18:46
Authenticity by Design with Shaz Khan of Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks
Shaz Khan, co-founder of Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks, joins Zack to share how he's built a beloved multi-unit brand without losing the feel of a local favorite. With an engineering mindset and a passion for hospitality, Shaz breaks down the sy...
•
17:43
Running a Profitable Restaurant Without Being Trapped in It with David Scott Peters
Zack sits down with David Scott Peters, restaurant coach, speaker, and author of Restaurant Prosperity Formula, to break down how independent restaurant owners can create financial and operational freedom. He shares why <...
•
19:24
From Brand Voice to Guest Experience with Stacey Kane
Zack welcomes Stacey Kane, a fractional CMO for emerging and beyond brands, to discuss the importance of brand voice, guest experience, and tactical marketing strategies in the restaurant industry. With experience leading marketing efforts for ...
•
18:15
Frictionless Ordering & Smarter Tech with Johnathan Chen
On this episode of Give an Ovation, Johnathan Chen, CEO and Co-Founder of 5&5, joins Zack Oates to discuss how restaurants can optimize their technology stack to improve operations and guest experience. With years of ...
•
21:10
Five-Star Strategies for Restaurant Success with Michael Halen
On this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack Oates welcomes Michael Halen, Senior Restaurant and Foodservice Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence and host of Chopping It Up. Michael shares his insights on industry trends, valu...
•
17:22
How Genuine Hospitality and Guest Engagement Drive Restaurant Success with Julie Zucker
Zack welcomes Julie Zucker, CMO and Partner at Branded Strategic Hospitality and producer of the Hospitality Hangout podcast. With years of experience in restaurant marketing and guest experience, Julie shares invaluable in...
•
18:29
Lessons from a Hospitality Marketing Veteran with Mitch Baker
Mitch Baker, VP of Marketing at Robeks, shares his expertise on evolving marketing strategies in the hospitality industry. With a background spanning Hollywood entertainment, Disney, and more, he dives into the role of guest data, technology, a...
•
17:47
The Future of Hospitality Marketing with Erin Levzow
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Erin Levzow, a hospitality marketing and technology expert with nearly 20 years of experience at brands like Caesars, MGM, Wingstop, Freebirds, and Del Taco. Erin shares her insights on how to blen...
•
Episode 351
•
18:46
People-First Hospitality with Jennifer Dodd
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Jennifer Dodd, a 30-year restaurant industry veteran and the CEO of Main Squeeze Juice Co. Jennifer has led in QSR, casual dining, and franchising, making her a powerhouse in restaurant op...
•
17:14
The Secret to Consistent Success with Joseph Sample
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Joe Sample, President of Crave Management Group, the multi-unit, multi-brand operator behind top-performing Taco Bell locations and Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay. With over 22 years of experience, ...
•
17:12
Building Purpose-Driven Brands for a Sustainable Future with Seth Goldman
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Seth Goldman, co-founder of Honest Tea and Just Ice Tea, chairman of Beyond Meat, and co-founder of PLNT Burger. Seth’s journey from government and activism to launching purpose-driven brands showc...
•
Episode 348
•
20:49
Tech, Guest Experience, and Growth with Ming-Tai Huh
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Ming-Tai Huh, Head of Food and Beverage at Square and a restaurateur with over a decade of experience through Cambridge Street Hospitality Group. Ming brings a unique perspective, blending his deep...
•
Episode 347
•
15:33
From Food Truck To Food Phenom with Andrew Dana
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Andrew Dana, founder of Call Your Mother Deli and Timber Pizza Company. Andrew’s journey from the corporate world to building thriving restaurant brands is a testament to passion, perseverance, and...
•
Episode 346
•
15:21
The South Block Story with Amir Mostafavi
In this episode of Give an Ovation, Zack welcomes Amir Mostafavi, the Founder and CEO of South Block, a mission-driven smoothie and juice bar brand based in the DC area. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Amir shares his...
•
20:26
Innovative Concepts and Flavors with Abney Harper
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we’re joined by Abney Harper, CEO and Founder of Prima Après, a unique fast-casual concept combining fresh pasta and pavlovas with a focus on thoughtful design, quality ingredients, and heartfelt hos...
•
20:24
Empowering Teams, Perfecting Chicken with Jason & Etkin
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we’re joined by Jason Sobocinski and Etkin Tekin, the co-founders of Haven Hot Chicken, who are on a mission to redefine the fast-casual dining space. From their roots as winners of the Perfect Pitch...
•
21:42
Craft, Culture, and Guest Connection with Rick Malir
In this episode of Give an Ovation, Rick Malir, founder of City Barbeque, shares his journey from selling John Deere tractors to building a nationally recognized barbecue brand. With 25 years in the business and 75 locations, Ri...
•
19:57
From Family Legacy to Franchise with Austin Titus
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Austin Titus, president of Cannoli Kitchen Pizza and a seasoned expert in the franchise industry. Growing up in a family of franchise entrepreneurs, Austin has developed a unique eye for brands tha...
•
15:53
Creating a Culture that Rocks with Jim Knight
In this episode of Give an Ovation, we welcome Jim Knight, a former executive at Hard Rock Cafe who has transformed his experiences into a dynamic career as a speaker and author. Known for his engaging style, Jim blends the charisma of G...
•
21:31
Inside the Digital Kitchen Revolution with Markus Pineyro
Markus Pineyro is not just a restaurant owner—he’s a visionary reshaping how we think about dining experiences. As the co-founder of OOMI Digital Kitchen, Markus has created a food hall that operates almost entirely through digital interactions...
•
19:12
From Deli Dreams to Salad Empires with Joey Cioffi
Joey Cioffi is the founder and CEO of The Salad House, a fast-growing franchise with a passion for offering customizable, fresh meals for everyone. From his New Jersey roots to building a brand that’s now expanding to 19 locations, Joey has alw...
•
Episode 335
•
17:14
